Optical fiber coupler reinforcing member and optical fiber coupler

Abstract

An optical fiber coupler reinforcing member comprises an approximately rectangular member formed by a hard material, and has a flat surface along the longitudinal direction thereof. In addition, the shape thereof in cross-section is a hexagonal shape which inscribes a cylindrical member. Furthermore, a recess having a U-shaped cross-section is formed in the longitudinal direction of the above-mentioned approximately rectangular member and houses coupling section. The coupling section housed within the recess is fixed at both ends of the recess by an adhesive or the like. In addition, both ends of the inner wall surface of the recess have been given bevel sections. As a result, the optical fiber coupler reinforcing member having high reliability at low cost, with which the strength with respect to external force is improved and with which processability and the assembly operations of the optical fiber coupler are easy, are provided.

1. An optical fiber coupler reinforcing member for housing and protecting an optical fiber coupler main body in a longitudinal groove provided in the longitudinal direction of a shaft member, wherein the longitudinal groove has a U-shaped cross-section, an exterior bottom surface of the shaft member is a flat surface along the longitudinal direction thereof, and a shape in cross-section of the shaft member is a polygonal shape which inscribes a circle. 
   
   
     2. An optical fiber coupler reinforcing member according to  claim 1 , wherein corners of both ends of the longitudinal groove are beveled. 
   
   
     3. An optical fiber coupler reinforcing member according  claim 2 , wherein the shaft member comprises a super invar material or an invar material, and a surface of the shaft member is subjected to chrome plating, tin plating, or nickel plating at a predetermined thickness. 
   
   
     4. An optical fiber coupler reinforcing member according to  claim 3 , wherein a surface roughness of the shaft member is 1 to 100 μm. 
   
   
     5. An optical fiber coupler reinforcing member according to  claim 2 , wherein a surface roughness of the shaft member is 1 to 100 μm. 
   
   
     6. An optical fiber coupler reinforcing member according to  claim 1 , wherein corners of both ends of the longitudinal groove are beveled. 
   
   
     7. An optical fiber coupler reinforcing member according to  claim 6 , wherein the shaft member comprises a super invar material or an invar material, and a surface of the shaft member is subjected to chrome plating, tin plating, or nickel plating at a predetermined thickness. 
   
   
     8. An optical fiber coupler reinforcing member according to  claim 7 , wherein a surface roughness of the shaft member is 1 to 100 μm. 
   
   
     9. An optical fiber coupler reinforcing member according to  claim 6 , wherein a surface roughness of the shaft member is 1 to 100 μm. 
   
   
     10. An optical fiber coupler reinforcing member according to  claim 1 , wherein the shaft member comprises a super invar material or an invar material, and a surface of the shaft member is subjected to chrome plating, tin plating, or nickel plating at a predetermined thickness. 
   
   
     11. An optical fiber coupler reinforcing member according to  claim 10 , wherein a surface roughness of the shaft member is 1 to 100 μm. 
   
   
     12. An optical fiber coupler reinforcing member according to  claim 1 , wherein the shaft member comprises a super invar material or an invar material, and a surface of the shaft member is subjected to chrome plating, tin plating, or nickel plating at a predetermined thickness. 
   
   
     13. An optical fiber coupler reinforcing member according to  claim 12 , wherein a surface roughness of the shaft member is 1 to 100 μm. 
   
   
     14. An optical fiber coupler reinforcing member according to  claim 1 , wherein a surface roughness of the shaft member is 1 to 100 μm. 
   
   
     15. An optical fiber coupler reinforcing member according to  claim 1 , wherein a surface roughness of the shaft member is 1 to 100 μm. 
   
   
     16. An optical fiber coupler comprising an optical fiber coupler reinforcing member according to any one of claims  1 , and  2  to  8 .